Looking for ways to keep the love alive in your marriage? Here are four tips for dads.

1. Daily: Make time to talk. Touch base with your wife about the concerns or problems she faced during the day. She doesn’t expect you to solve them, but she does need you to listen.

2. Weekly: Set aside a few hours for just the two of you. It could be a Friday-night movie or a Sunday-afternoon walk. Make it a standing appointment, or you may never find the time. Share how you’re both feeling about this important time of transition in your lives.

3. Monthly: Plan a special outing together. A day trip can be very refreshing. Perhaps participate in an activity that brought you together or brought you joy before the children, whether it’s a sport or attending concerts.

4. Annually: Get away together. Plan a romantic weekend trip at least once a year. If she likes surprises, make all the arrangements ahead of time. If she doesn’t, plan the trip together. Either way, renewing your love will show your wife how important your relationship and your family are to you.

3. Dad wants… the personal touch
Dads with young kids are bound to appreciate the effort that goes into making something special. And if you want a gift for your own dad, why not frame an old photograph of the two of you together - such as a childhood holiday snap.

4. Dad wants… an adrenaline rush
No matter how old he is, chances are dad has a few unfulfilled ambitions left inside him - whether it’s to be James Bond for a day or drive a racing car. Several companies now pride themselves on being able to find the perfect gift. Take your pick from a day at a spy academy, a pleasure flight over London or an indoor bungee jump.

5. Dad wants… a family gathering
Maybe the best way to show your dad or partner how much you care on Father’s Day is to organise a family party. It doesn’t have to be a huge affair: a low-key summer barbecue will give him the chance to show off his culinary skills to the people who matter most. Alternatively, what dad would turn down the chance of an all-the-trimmings Sunday dinner - be it at home or in a restaurant? So why not start ringing or emailing round now to check that everyone’s free on the day?

Dads are notoriously difficult to buy for - which is why many of them end up with vast collections of novelty socks and soap-on-a-ropes. here are five great ideas to make 18 June really special.

1. Dad wants… England to win the World Cup

OK, so you can’t fix it for England to win the World Cup - but you can indulge Dad’s passion for footie by buying him an unusual gift. If he’s really into his club, chances are he’s already got the team shirt. However, you could get him a personalised history of his favourite team . The hardback book contains all the key newspaper reports from the past 100 years about a selected team - and has a gold embossed dedication on the front.

2. Dad wants… the perfect garden

If Dad’s a keen gardener, seeds or plants are a brilliant idea for Father’s Day. Most big garden centres and nurseries have their own websites, so you can browse them for ideas before you buy. Alternatively, if your dad enjoys woodland walks or is a keen conservationist, you could get a tree planted on his behalf.

Feeding the Healthy Vegetarian Family
By Ken Haedrich (1998, Bantam Books, $16. Reading level: Adult)

Vegetarian father-of-four, Ken Haedrich dishes out more than 250 kid-tested, meat-free recipes that can be prepared in short order, taste good, use easy-to-find ingredients, and are healthy. The book is sprinkled with family anecdotes, sections just for the kids, and tips for enjoying vegetarian meals without feeling deprived.

New Vegetarian Baby: An Entirely New, Updated Edition of the Classic Guide to Raising Your Baby on the Healthiest Possible Diet
By Sharon Yntema and Christine Beard (1999, McBrooks Press, $16. Reading level: Adult)

Certified nutrition educator and counselor Christine Beard teamed up with the author of the original Vegetarian Baby (published in 1980) to create a level-headed, well-researched, timely, and accurate guide to feeding your baby a nutritious yet meatless diet.

Better Than Peanut Butter & Jelly: Quick Vegetarian Meals Your Kids Will Love!
By Wendy Muldawer (1997, McBrooks Press, $17. Reading level: Adult)

Yes, whipping up yet another pb&j is an easy way to keep the kids fed, but even the most change-averse child will get sick of the same old thing eventually. This book packs 150 low-fat, low-sugar, kid-friendly recipes, such as Brown Rice Fruit Salad and Cartwheel Carrots, that can be prepared without a lot of hassle. Snack and party ideas are included, as are vegan options.

Whether you’re merely hoping to get a carrot or two into your child’s meals or wondering how to provide a balanced, healthy diet for a budding vegetarian, check out these cookbooks. They’re chock-full of veggie recipes guaranteed to please fussy family members, including some that even kids can help make.

Pretend Soup and Other Real Recipes: A Cookbook for Preschoolers & Up
By Mollie Katzen and Ann L. Henderson (1994, Tricycle Press, $17. Reading level: Ages 4 to

Vegetarian foodie Mollie Katzen (author of The Moosewood Cookbook) and educator Ann Henderson have teamed up to create a kid-friendly, nutritionally mindful, and parent-perfect book. Each of the 19 recipes starts with individual instructions for both the adult and child, is illustrated with cute animals, and includes insider reviews from kids who have tried the recipes. Children will love the easy-to-follow step-by-step illustrations, and parents will like that science and math lessons are covertly woven into assignments for mixing and measuring.

101 Meatless Family Dishes: Delicious & Satisfying Recipes the Whole Family Will Love (Even the Kids!)
By John Ettinger (1995, Prima Publishing, $15. Reading level: Adult)

Whether your family shuns meat completely or you just want to switch out a couple of animal-based dishes each week for plant-based ones, this book, written by the food columnist for The Portland Oregonian, offers plenty of options. The sheer number of family-tested recipes, such as Texan Stuffed Peppers, Spicy Vegetable Pilaf Casserole, and Herbed Cheese Ravioli, ensures that you’ll find something to please the palates of everyone in your home.

Here are some more easy recipes harassed Moms can try at home!

Herbal Conditioning Oil

You will need:
1/2 cup dried chamomile flowers
1/4 cup dried rosemary leaves
1 cup safflower or sunflower oil
Place the herbs in the top of a double boiler and add the oil. Heat for 30 minutes. Pour into a wide mouthed jar. Cover with a piece of muslin secured with a rubber band. Let this stand in a warm place for about a week, stirring each day. Strain the oil into a clean jar. To Use-Warm about 1/2 cup of the oil, less if your hair is shorter, over VERY low heat for a few minutes. Rinse your hair with hot water and squeeze out excess water with your hands. Rub the warm oil into your hair and scalp. Cover with a shower cap, then a warm damp towel. Condition for 20-30 minutes then shampoo to remove the oil.

Easy Herbal Hair Rinse
Pour 2 cups boiling water over 2 tablespoons dried rosemary. Steep this for 15 minutes,strain and rinse hair with the water.

Honey and Cream Facial
Combine one teaspoon honey with two tablespoons of heavy whipping cream. Beat together and pat onto your face, rubbing gently and smoothing your skin as you do this. Leave on for a few minutes while preparing a cup of tea or your breakfast, then rinse with warm water.

Moms never pamper themselves enough. One thing to helps Moms feel pampered is using homemade bath, skin and hair treatments. They are easy to make and very soothing. Plus if you set aside an evening once a month to pamper yourself through a home spa- it becomes a comforting ritual that you will look forward to each time!

Using Bath Teas

Herbal bath teas are VERY easy to make and use. Basically you are making a “tea” or an infusion that you then add to your bath. You can use small muslin bags that are premade or you can sew your own with a piece of muslin and tie it tightly at the top with string. A piece of finely woven cheesecloth will work also by placing the ingredients in the middle of a square, gathering and tying tightly. The most basic way is to steep your bath tea in a bowl or large mug, then it and add it to your bath. The key is to steep your herbs in boiling water, then add to your bath. Steep for at least 10-15 minutes, but longer is fine.

Dried herbs are ok for bath teas, but you can also use fresh herb leaves from your garden. One favorite combination is mint and lavender. Add about 1/2 cup of each to a muslin bag and steep for about 10-15 minutes. Grab a magazine, light a candle, brew a cup of regular tea for drinking, run the bath and add the bath tea. If you are using a cloth bag or bundle you can also add that to the tub. The nice thing about bath teas is the simplicity and the aroma. You’ll need to experiment and find out what which herbs work best in your bath. These suggestions will get you started:

Use 1/2-1 cup of a combination of the following-
-dried mint
-dried chamomile
-dried lavender
-dried rosemary
-dried rose petals
-ground oatmeal (in your blender)
-dried milk

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Perhaps try a 1/2 cup of mint, chamomile and lavender, but only a small amount of rosemary. Or choose 2 of the herbs and use 1 cup each, plus a cup of dried milk for a soothing milk bath. If you buy the dried herbs in bulk or dry or own they are not very expensive, and you can store them in a fairly cool cupboard in jars. Try adding baby oil to the bath while it’s running and the bath tea for a messy, yet very moisturizing soak!

Ice Skating: Helmets for ice skating are up for debate among safety experts, but keep in mind that beginners are likely to fall down a lot. For hockey, of course, it’s essential to wear a helmet and protective padding for the knees, elbows, shoulders, shins and mouth. Before skating outdoors on a pond or lake, check with the local recreation department or park authority to make sure the ice is safe. Even if it is, teach your kids what to do if they fall through the ice. They should stretch their arms out wide and kick like they’re swimming. That will keep them afloat as they call for help and try to crawl backward onto solid ice.

Snowmobiling: Everyone on a snowmobile should be wearing a helmet specifically designed for high-speed motor sports ?- not a bike helmet, since snowmobiles can go up to 90 miles per hour. Safe Kids recommends that no one under 6 be allowed on a snowmobile and that no one under 16 drive one. As with skiing or sledding, stick to designated, patrolled areas or scout out the terrain ahead of time.

Snowboarding: This fast-growing sport is the leading cause of serious winter sports injuries among kids ages 5 to 14. Kids should wear snowboarding helmets as well as wrist, knee and ankle protection. With images of extreme tricks and aerial stunts on TV and in magazines, make sure your kids are realistic about what they can do or could try to do. It’s especially important to start with lessons, stay within skill levels and stick to supervised facilities.